HC Deb 18 February 1901 vol 89 cc295-6
MR. PHILIPPS (Pembrokeshire)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can inform the House of the number of horses bought for the South African army since the war began, specifying the number bought in Great Britain and the number bought in other countries; what was the average purchase price in each country; and what are the official reports as to the comparative merits of the animals bought in each country.

* THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE WAR OFFICE (Lord STANLEY,) Lancashire, Westhoughton

The total number of horses and cobs purchased for South Africa between October, 1899, and 31st January, 1901, was as follows:—Great Britain and Ireland, 35,775 horses; 3,827 cobs. Other countries, 36,314 horses; 35,506 cobs. Of the former about 80 per cent. were sent to South Africa. The English and Irish were considered the best, and the next best were the American and Canadian. It is not considered expedient to state the prices.

MR. T. M. HEALY

Will you give me the figures for Ireland and Great Britain separately instead of lumping them together?

* LORD STANLEY

I cannot give them offhand, but will see if I can get them.

CAPTAIN DONELAN (Cork, E.)

I beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he can state the number of troop horses purchased for the purpose of the South African war in Hungary, America, and Ireland respectively between 1st January and 31st December, 1900; and whether any agent was employed by the War Office during that period for the purchase of troop horses in the south of Ireland.

* LORD STANLEY

The figures are as follows:—Hungary, 7,000; America, United States, 21,000: Canada, 3,750; Ireland, 6,178. Of those bought in Ireland about 20 per cent, were for units at home. Colonel Hanford was the agent employed in Ireland during the period referred to, and he bought horses in all parts of the country.

SIR E. ASHMEAD)-BARTLETT (Sheffield, Ecclesall)

Can the noble Lord state if in the American figures the horses from the Argentine are included?

* LORD STANLEY

No, these are not included, but I cannot say what numbers came from the Argentine.

CAPTAIN DONELAN

May I ask why preference was given to Hungary and America in view of the fact that Irish horses are the best in the world?

MR. FLAVIN (Kerry, N.)

Can the noble Lord state what part of the war tax is paid in Hungary and America?

Another NATIONALIST MEMBER

And is it true that when the Irish Members opposed the War Vote an order was given that no more horses should be bought in Ireland?

[No answer was returned.]